Related Links

Johannesburg - Face-to-face negotiations with a group of kidnappers holding a South African teacher for ransom in Yemen are set to begin this week, Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said on Monday.

On Monday, Anas Al-Hamati, the NGO's office manager in Yemen, would fly into the area where Pierre Korkie was being held, said Sooliman.

"[Al-Hamati] has been in constant contact over the phone, face-to-face negotiations are going to start tomorrow," he said.

"[He] will take copies of [Korkie's] South African passport to prove that he is not American, [because] the amount they are demanding is outrageous."

On Friday, the kidnappers asked for US$3m (about R30m) to be paid within eight days for Korkie's release.

Extension on deadline sought

Korkie's wife Yolande was released last week with the help of the organisation. She and her husband were captured in the city of Taiz in May.

"The first aim is to extend the deadline and the next is to see if we can bring down the amount," Sooliman said at the time.

He said Al-Hamati had a "good rapport" with the kidnappers.

"We are hoping we can convince them we need more time."

Sooliman said South Africa's ambassador to Saudi Arabia landed in Yemen on Sunday morning. He would help with transportation and a new passport for Yolande Korkie to return to South Africa.

Relieved to be free

He said she was feeling better and calmer on Sunday. She had cried for a long time on Saturday, but was now focused on organising a campaign in South Africa to raise the money to get her husband freed.

"She's very worried about her husband," said Sooliman.

The Sunday Independent reported that Yolande Korkie told it in a telephonic interview that she could not find the words to thank Gift of the Givers for its help.

"Our hearts are overflowing. The people of South Africa must know that the passion and the commitment of the Gift of the Givers is unrivalled," she was quoted as telling the newspaper.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location.
If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a
location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to
take affect.

Your Location*

Weather*

Always remember my setting

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.